UN Secretary-General: “Eyes of the world” on Ministers and Heads of State
meeting at United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali
Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia
12 December 2007
144 ministers and high-level government representatives along with 6 heads of state gathered
in Bali on Wednesday to begin the high-level segment of the United Nations Climate Change
Conference - Bali 2007, which is expected to launch negotiations on a new global deal on
climate change. Press release (131 kB)

Important steps taken to expand CDM in Africa, much remains to be done – Nairobi
Framework partners
Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia
6 December 2007
A good start has been made to extend the benefits of the clean development mechanism (CDM) to
Africa, but a great deal more remains to be done, and much more is needed in terms of donor
support, say representatives of the five agencies implementing the Nairobi Framework aimed at
spreading the benefits of the CDM. Press release (120 kB)

Press Briefing: Making the Kyoto Protocol work: data, policies and infrastructure and
briefing on the expected outcomes of the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali
Bonn, Germany
20 November 2007
The Climate Change Secretariat presented detailed emissions data provided by the 41
industrialized nations which are Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change. The information was presented by UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer and
by a team of UNFCCC emission data experts. A special focus was given to progress in combating
climate change under the Kyoto Protocol, with a close look at emissions data of Kyoto
Protocol Parties. Press release (53 kB) ger (56 kB)National
greenhouse gas inventory data for the period 1990-2005.

Address by Yvo de Boer at the International Solidarity Conference on Climate Change
Strategies for African and Mediterranean Regions
Tunis, Tunisia
18 November 2007
Speaking at the International Solidarity Conference on Climate Change Strategies for African
and Mediterranean Regions in Tunis on November 18 2007, Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer
stressed that Africa has been the forgotten continent in the fight against climate change. At
the same time, the IPCC has clearly found that Africa will be one of the three regions worst
affected by climate change impacts. Work on a future climate change deal for the period
post-2012, which is expected to be launched at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali in
December, needs to ensure that developing country policy needs are adequately taken up. Statement (50 kB)

Climate Change 2007– the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4)Valencia,
Spain
17 November 2007
The IPCC has launched the first three volumes of its assessment report "Climate Change
2007" and has finalized its Synthesis report.
The Synthesis Report was launched in Valencia, Spain, 17 November 2007 during a press
conference.webcastmore

UNFCCC Executive Secretary: OPEC part of the solution to climate change, not part of
the problem
Riyadh
15 November 2007
Speaking at a high level OPEC Seminar in Riyadh, the Executive Secretary of the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Yvo de Boer, stated that the fight against
climate change can open up considerable opportunities for OPEC’s economic
development. press release (162 kB) statement (194 kB) esp (138 kB) fre (150 kB) ger (124 kB) rus (178 kB) more

UN Climate Change Secretariat puts cornerstone of Kyoto Protocol’s electronic
emissions trading system in place
Bonn
14 November 2007
The UN Climate Change Secretariat on Wednesday announced that the International Transaction
Log (ITL) became operational, thereby putting in place the cornerstone of the Kyoto
Protocol’s emissions trading system. The ITL is a sophisticated computerized system
that ensures that emissions trading among Kyoto countries is fully consistent with the rules
established under the UN Treaty. press release (128 kB) more

Press briefing by Yvo de Boer at Carbon Forum Asia: Start of negotiations for
post-2012 agreement crucial for health of the planet
6 November 2007, Singapore
The UNFCCC Executive Secretary told stakeholders at the Carbon Forum Asia tradefair and
conference that the negotiations need to begin this December to avoid a gap between the end
of the Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period and whatever agreement comes next.
“We’ve seen several positive signals, such as the statements made by heads of
state at the Secretary-General’s high level event in September in New York, and broad
agreement by ministers who met in Indonesia just a few weeks ago. Nonetheless, we must stay
focussed, and achieve a formal launch of negotiations in Bali in December, one that sets out
a timetable and a means for moving forward,” Mr. de Boer said. press release (132 kB) (132 kB) esp (130 kB) fre (142 kB) ger (123 kB) rus (199 kB)

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UNDP Administrator Kemal Derviº and business
representatives launch MDG Monitor website.
1 November 2007, New York, USA
MDG Monitor is a web application that tracks real-time progress toward the Millennium
Development Goals in a number of categories in nearly every country in the world. The new
online resource is a one-stop-shop for MDG information and will serve as an educational and
advocacy platform featuring the most current data from multiple sources in development
bellwethers like public health, education and women’s empowerment.MDG Monitor

Workshop on finance and investment flows to address climate change: The way
forward
31 October 2007, Bonn, Germany
Over 100 experts from government agencies, the private sector, multilateral development banks
and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations met to prioritize needs for further
analysis on finance and investment flows to address climate change that can be undertaken by
interested organizations.more

United Nations Day
24 October 2007
"We will be judged in the future on the actions we take today -- on results. On this
United Nations Day, let us rededicate ourselves to achieving them."
Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-Generalmore

World Bank Annual Meetings 2007: Low Carbon, High Hopes: Making Climate Action Work for
Development
20 October 2007, Washington DC, USA
Developing countries are on track to become, eventually, the biggest contributors to global
warming and climate change, but they won’t modify their rapidly growing carbon appetite
unless developed nations show more will in curbing their own.more

UNFCCC Executive Secretary sees 2007 Nobel Peace Prize as sign of awareness for the
need for political action on climate change
12 October 2007 Bonn
Statement:
"It is very encouraging that this year's Nobel Peace Prize goes to the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Albert Arnold (Al) Gore Jr. The IPCC has
done very important work to analyse the science of climate change and to see how that can be
translated into policy. Mr. Gore has dealt with the other side of the coin by popularising
science. These two go hand in hand. Today's announcement is a sign that there is growing
awareness not only with regard to the science and impacts of climate change, but for the need
for political action. What we need to do now is to get started on the negotiations of a
post-2012 framework in Bali this year. We urgently need a new agreement or a set of
agreements under the umbrella of the UN which can deliver the greenhouse gas emission
reductions in line with what science is telling us is needed - 50% by 2050 - along with
significant funding for adaptation."

Address on behalf of the Secretary General of the United Nations by Yvo de Boer,
Executive Secretary at the Major economies meeting on climate change and energy security in
Washington
27 - 28 September 2007 Statement (160 kB)

The Future in our Hands: Addressing the Leadership Challenge of Climate
ChangeUN Secretary-General convened world leaders to build momentum for climate change
talks in Bali
24 September 2007 - UN Headquarters, New York, USA
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sought to advance the global agenda on climate
change when he met with heads of state and other top officials from more than 150 countries
at United Nations Headquarters on 24 September. More than 70 heads of state or government
attended the one-day event, making it the largest meeting ever of world leaders on climate
change.moreWebcast Watch all
the discussions and thematic plenaries of the High-Level Event on demand.Final press conference

Workshop on exchange of experiences and good practices among non-Annex I Parties in
preparing national communications and on cross-cutting issues
20 - 22 September 2007, Cairo, Egyptmore

Experts meeting in Cairo discuss how to report on climate change change-related
issues
20 September 2007, Cairo, Egypt
More than sixty experts from developing countries are from today meeting in Cairo for a
three-day workshop to exchange information on how their countries can communicate climate
change-related information. Press release (138 kB)

UN’s top climate change official calls on industry to support legally binding
emission reduction commitments
19 September 2007, Chicago, USA
The UN’s top climate change official on Wednesday called on business to support serious
emission-reduction commitments on the part of industrialized countries to ensure continuity in
the international response to climate change and continuity in the growing global carbon
market. Press release (147 kB)

The Montreal Protocol and the Kyoto Protocol mutually supportive say top UN
officials
17 September 2007, Montreal, Canada
International efforts to safeguard Earth’s climate and protect the ozone layer are
mutually supportive, say the United Nation’s top climate change and environment
officials. Negotiations on the future direction of the Montreal Protocol in protecting the
ozone layer, which start in Montreal today, and the UN Climate Change Conference set for Bali
in December will shape further climate action beyond 2012, when the first phase of the Kyoto
Protocol ends. Press release (42 kB)

Fossil fuel efficiency projects to receive much-needed investment under Kyoto
Protocol’s clean development mechanism14 September 2007, Bonn,
Germany
Projects that increase the burning efficiency of fossil fuels can now qualify for
registration under the Kyoto Protocol’s clean development mechanism (CDM), thanks to a
decision taken by the mechanism’s independent Executive Board. Press release (129 kB)

UNFCCC workshop on adaptation planning and practices concludes in Rome
12 September 2007, Rome, Italy
The secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) today
concluded a three-day workshop in Rome on planning and practices to help communities, national
governments, and organizations to adapt to the impacts of climate change. The workshop was held
in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Press release (131 kB)

CDM Bazaar web-portal will link buyers, sellers and service providers
The CDM Bazaar (1093 kB) web-portal has been launched
officially today to facilitate exchange of information among buyers, sellers and service
providers engaged in the Kyoto Protocol’s clean development mechanism (CDM). This joint
effort of the UNFCCC secretariat and UNEP RISOE Centre in Denmark will help stakeholders in the
CDM “get down to business,” said UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer. Press release (82 kB)

Fourth Meeting of the Compliance Committee
5-7 September 2007, Bonn, Germany
The Compliance Committee of the Kyoto Protocol is convening its plenary, enforcement and
facilitative branches from 5 to 7 September to discuss a range of procedural and reporting
issues. The meeting is taking place at the Wissenschaftszentrum, Ahrstrasse 45, 53175 Bonn,
Germany. In addition to the range of substantive issues on the agenda, members and alternate
members of the Committee will also take their oath of service. Live and on-demand webcast
coverage of these meetings will be provided.View
webcast more

Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) stocktaking meeting on the preparation
and implementation of National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA)
3 - 5 September 2007, Bangkok, Thailand
Over 100 experts and delegates from some 49 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) met in Bangkok
from 3 to 5 September to take stock on the progress made in preparing and implementing their
National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs).Momentum for the
Implementation of Concrete Adaptation Projects in Least Developed Countriesmore

Vienna UN conference shows consensus on key building blocks for effective
international response to climate change27 - 31 August 2007, Vienna,
Germany
A round of climate change talks under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) concluded in Austria today with agreement on key elements for an
effective international response to climate change.more

UNFCCC secretariat presents investment and financial flows necessary to respond to
climate change
23 August 2007, Bonn, Germany
According to a new report issued this week by the secretariat of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), addressing climate change in the next 25 years will
require significant changes in the patterns of investment and financial flows. Press release (143 kB) esp (145 kB) ger (52 kB) rus (186 kB) more

Investment and financial flows to address climate change21 August
2007, Bonn, Germany
Addressing climate change in the next 25 years will require significant changes in the
patterns of investment and financial flows. The secretariat, in close collaboration with key
international financial institutions, United Nations agencies, intergovernmental
organizations and non-governmental organizations, other relevant agencies, as well as
representatives of the private sector and civil society, has prepared an analysis of existing
and planned investment and financial flows relevant to the development of effective and
appropriate international response to climate change.more

United Nations launches new climate change internet siteA new United
Nations Internet site, “Gateway to the UN
System’s Work on Climate Change”, that highlights the wide-ranging work of the
various parts of the United Nations system on climate change has been launched. The new website
makes it easier for Internet users to find information on climate change from across the United
Nations system. Press release

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer on International Day of the World’s
Indigenous People9 August 2007, Bonn, Germany
Through their long attachment to their lands and their traditional ability to cope with
unfavourable changes in their environment, indigenous peoples have much experience and
knowledge that may be instrumental in helping others adapt to the rapid changes caused by
global warming, said UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer. Statement (139 kB)

United Nations General Assembly President convenes thematic debate
"Climate Change as a Global Challenge" at UN
Headquarters in New York
1 August 2007, New York, USA
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon opened the General Assembly's first-ever thematic plenary
debate devoted exclusively to climate change. In his opening remarks, the Secretary-General
challenged the world’s nations to take decisive action this year to tackle the climate
change threat head-on.

Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
participated in the panel on “Mitigation Strategies in the Context of Sustainable
Development” and gave a press briefing at UN Headquarters.

Ministerial Declaration calling for collective response to climate
change
10 July 2007, Geneva, Switzerland
The Economic and Social Council, which held its substantive session in Geneva, adopted a
Ministerial Declaration (full text) calling for the widest possible cooperation by all
countries in developing an effective and appropriate response to climate change. The Members of
the Council commended the Secretary-General's initiative to convene a high-level event on
climate change on 24 September in New York. The Declaration also addresses concerns expressed
by developing countries as regards interaction between climate change response and economic and
social development.
More information: Press Release
Ministerial Declaration

Experts meeting in St. Lucia explored ways to educate populations about the perils of
climate change
3 July 2007, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
Faced with sea level rise of up to one meter by the end of the next century and the need to
relocate entire populations within the next 50 years, representatives of 30 small island
developing States (SIDS) met in St. Lucia from 3 to 5 July to discuss how their populations can
be better educated about the effects of climate change. Press release (136 kB)

UNFCCC workshop on sharing best practices with conducting TNAs27 - 29
June 2007, Bangkok, Thailand
During the workshop representatives of Parties, international organizations and the private
sector shared good practices and lessons learned with conducting technology needs assessments
(TNAs) and identified specific needs and practical actions that could assist them in
implementing the findings of these studies. In this context, participants received training
on project development utilizing the UNFCCC guidebook for preparing technology transfer
projects for financing. The identification of good practices will help countries in the
process of conducting or updating TNAs to effectively undertake and complete their
assessments.more

In a BBC Hardtalk interview broadcast on Wednesday 20 June 2007, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo
de Boer spoke to BBC host Stephen Sackur on the outcomes of the G8 meeting in Heiligendamm,
Germany, and the prospects of advancing post-2012 negotiations in Bali this year.
view full interview broadband
quality (134 kB) - dial-up quality

UNFCCC workshop was held on climate related risks and extreme events in the context
of adaptation to climate change
18 - 20 June 2007 - Cairo, Egypt
During the workshop countries and organizations shared their experience in assessing,
predicting and managing climate related risks and extreme events in a range of sectors,
including agriculture and food security, coastal zones, water resources and health. They also
discussed the role of traditional knowledge in managing these risks. The identification of
best practices will help countries to be better prepared for climate related risks and
extreme events as part of their overall efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
This was the first of a series of workshops that will be organized under the Nairobi work
programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. more

UNFCCC Executive Secretary: G8 document reenergises multilateral climate change process
under the United Nations
7 June 2007, Bonn, Germany
According to Yvo de Boer, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC), Thursday’s agreement on climate change clinched at the G8 summit
in Heiligendamm has paved the way for negotiations in Bali in December and given climate talks
under the auspices of the UN a considerable boost. Press release (144 kB) esp (141 kB) fre (165 kB) ger (146 kB) rus (200 kB) G8 Summit Declaration (7 June 2007)

Russia poised to make use of Kyoto Protocol mechanism
1 June 2007 - Bonn, Germany
According to the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat, the first emission reduction
projects in the Russian Federation under the Kyoto Protocol are expected to reduce emissions
of greenhouse gases by more than 65 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent over the five years from
2008. Press relase (132 kB) rus (191 kB)

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer sums up results of the Bonn Subsidiary Body
meeting
24 May 2007 - New York, USA
At a press briefing in New York, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer summed up the results
of the Bonn Subsidiary Body Meeting (7 - 18 May) and spoke to the state of climate change
negotiations and talks on the road to the December United nations Climate Change Conference in
Bali, Indonesia (3 - 14 December)moreView webcast

The International Day for Biological Diversity
22 May 2007
Biodiversity and Climate Changemore

World Migratory Bird Day
12 - 13 May 2007
This year, World Migratory Bird Day will try to focus world attention on the impact of climate
change on migratory birds. Increasing temperatures, altered rainfall and vacillating weather
conditions caused by climate change have various impacts on the nomads of the skies. The
ecological character of the habitats of migratory birds is rapidly changing, which may lead to
their decline. Moreover, climate change causes a displacement of migration pattern, egg laying
and breeding. Some birds even stop migrating altogether.more

UNFCCC Executive Secretary: worst effects of climate change can be staved off if
appropriate international action to mitigate is speedily taken
4 May 2007 - Berlin, Germany
According to the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC), Yvo de Boer, some of the worst effects of climate change can be staved off if
the appropriate international action is immediately taken. Press release (134 kB) es (143 kB)

Carbon Expo in Cologne
2 - 4 May 2007, Cologne, Germany
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer spoke at the opening of this year's Carbon Expo, May
2, in Cologne. This important three-day event, the largest such market fair and conference,
also hosted panels of senior representatives of the Executive Board of the clean development
mechanism and the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee. The UNFCCC secretariat provided
information at a special Climate Change Kiosk at the fair.Read more about Carbon Expo

Ban Ki-moon names 3 prominent Special Envoys on Climate Change
1 May 2007 - New York, USA
The first woman Prime Minister of Norway, the former President of Chile, and the President of
the 56th Session of the United Nations General Assembly were today named Special Envoys for
Climate Change by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who has made the issues one of his top
priorities.more

Security Council discussed climate change17 April 2007 - New York,
USA
The UK proposed that the Security Council hold on 17 April 2007 an open debate exploring the
relationship between energy, security and climate. more (15
kB) ; Archived videos

Beijing hosted United Nations Asian regional adaptation workshop on adaptation to
climate change16 April 2007 - Beijing, China
The Department of Science, Technology & Education of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture,
aided by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, hosted the Asian regional workshop on
adaptation to climate change. The workshop, which took place in Beijing from 11-13 April 2007,
was organized by the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC). more

UNFCCC Executive Secretary says significant funds needed to adapt to climate change
impacts
6 April 2007 - Brussels, Belgium
On the occasion of the launch of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC)
assessment of present and future impacts of climate change, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de
Boer has said that the world urgently needs to launch an agreement on future international
action to combat climate change as well as to look for effective ways to generate the funds
needed for adaptation.more

UNFCCC: Kyoto Protocol’s International Transaction Log on track
2 April 2007 - Bonn, Germany
The secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is on track to put
in place the International Transaction Log (ITL) and make it available for industrialized
countries that have signed up to the Kyoto Protocol to link to their national registries. This
is in line with the timeframe of April 2007 set by the Parties to the Protocol. Press release (138 kB)

Germany releases conclusions of the G8 Environment Ministers Meeting
15 -17 March 2007 - Potsdam, Germany
The G8 Environment Ministers, plus the Environment Ministers from the leading emerging
economies (Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa) discussed strategic issues of
climate protection and energy policy in order to give political impetus to the international
climate protection negotiations planned for 2007. Chair's
conclusions (103 kB)

Goverments discussed in Australia approaches to reduce emissions from deforestation in
developing countries
15 March 2007 - Cairns, Australia
Avoiding loss of forests and forest degradation, particularly in the tropics, is one of the
largest challenges for developing countries around the world. Forests play an important role in
the global climate system, while their conservation links to crucial issues for developing
countries, such as poverty alleviation and sustainable development.more

UNFCCC Parties conclude meeting on deforestation and climate change
9 March 2007 -- 140 delegates from 58 UNFCCC Parties and international organizations concluded
a meeting in Cairns this week on deforestation and climate change. The focus was on ways and
means to reduce emissions from deforestation in developing countries. Deforestation is one of
the largest sources of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from tropical deforestation
in the developing world.Read more

Expert meeting on adaptation for small island developing states
26 - 28 February 2007, Rarotonga, Cook Islands -- An expert meeting on adaptation for the
small island developing states (SIDS) of the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions was held in
Rarotonga, the Cook Islands. The meeting, organised by the secretariat of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and hosted by the Environment Service of the
Cook Islands, provided participating experts with the opportunity to exchange information on
assessing the impacts of climate change, as well as their countries’ vulnerabilities to
these impacts.Read more

Kyoto’s clean development mechanism can lead the way to low-carbon future –
new CDM Executive Board chair
16 February 2007, Bonn -- The Kyoto Protocol’s clean development mechanism (CDM) is a
glimpse of the future when it comes to the global response to climate change, says Hans
Jürgen Stehr, the newly elected chair of the Executive Board that oversees the
mechanism. Press release esp (141 kB) fre (154 kB) ger (138 kB) rus (182 kB)

Indonesia to host United Nations Climate Change Conference
14 February 2007, Bonn -- The Bureau decided to accept the offer by the Government of Indonesia
to host the Conference of the Parties (COP 13) and the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto
Protocol (CMP 3) in Nusa Dua, Bali, 3 to 14 December 2007.
Information note (59 kB)

UNFCCC Executive Secretary calls for speedy and decisive international action on
climate change
2 February 2007, Paris -- Against the background of the most conclusive scientific evidence
to date that the warming of the climate system is unequivocal and accelerating, the Executive
Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Yvo de Boer, today
called for speedy and decisive international action to combat the phenomenon. Press release (150 kB) fre (58 kB) esp (54 kB) rus (152 kB) ger (56 kB)

UNFCCC Executive Secretary: unwarranted fear of economic hardship the root cause for
inaction on climate change22 January 2007, New Delhi -- According to the United
Nations’ top climate change official, a lack of global leadership on climate change is
seriously hampering efforts to combat global warming. Press release (128 kB)